Joey Manu is hoping he can be fit to play in the Sydney Roosters' NRL season opener four weeks after being left with a dent in his face from an accidental elbow.
Eleven days out from their round-one clash with the Dolphins, Manu remains in a non-contact vest at Roosters training as he recovers from his latest facial fracture.
Still with a plate in his right cheekbone after Latrell Mitchell's high shot in late 2021, Manu knew immediately his left cheek was fractured at a Roosters team camp in New Zealand earlier this month.
After rushing in to make a tackle on teammate Junior Pauga, Manu immediately left the field and has since undergone surgery to fix the bone.
"I felt it straight away. I was coming at speed and the impact hit it pretty hard," Manu said.
"Instantly I knew I had fractured my face. It felt the same. My ears were ringing.
"I felt the indent. It was pushed in. I just walked off the field and thought, I'm done.
"But after an hour or two I knew it wasn't as bad because I was out on the field just watching straight away."
Unlike in 2021, Manu did not need to have a plate inserted.
And he has not given up on a round-one return on March 5.
The Roosters are set to welcome back Luke Keary (jaw), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (back) for the Dolphins clash, but are without Billy Smith (knee) and Sitili Tupouniua (knee)
Angus Crichton's availability is uncertain after taking personal leave, while Manu is in a race against the clock to prove he can play.
"Obviously that's the goal, if not round one I'll be there for round two," he said.
"I am looking to get ready but I haven't done any contact yet.
"It's not ideal, I was looking forward to round one. But it feels alright."
If Manu does play, it will give the Roosters what looms as the most dangerous centre pairing in the competition as he is joined by Joseph Suaalii.
Manu had acted as a mentor for Suaalii, with the 19-year-old having played outside him on the wing and the pair share a close friendship.
But Manu said there was little need for him to teach Suaalii how to play centre, backing him to make the switch with ease.
"He's good on his own. He's an awesome player. He has done all his homework," Manu said.
"I try and help him where I can. It's a bit different to the wing spot, defending in the centres.
"He can hit, that's for sure. Defence in centres is a bit different, more decisions to make."
